Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Blyth Tait

New Zealand

59 - Bear Necessity V

Biography

British-based New Zealand Olympic rider Blyth Tait (55) completed Badminton last year (13th Bear Necessity V) on his first return to the venue since 2003 and the pair then completed Burghley (11th). The former double World Champion and Olympic individual gold medallist who is based near Cheltenham has formerly been second at Badminton on three occasions.

Blyth grew up in the town of Whangarei, in the North Island of New Zealand. After developing his skills through his involvement with show jumping and thoroughbred racing, he moved into the world of eventing. In 1989 with Messiah, he travelled to the UK to prepare for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Sweden. That year he was second at Badminton (Messiah) and went on to win double gold at the WEG (Ready Teddy). This allowed Blyth the opportunity to remain in the UK and continue to establish his career. At the 1992 Olympic Games he won individual bronze and team silver and at Atlanta in 1996 won individual gold with Ready Teddy and team bronze (Chesterfield). In 1998 he won World individual and team gold medals for a second time at the WEG in Rome. Blyth was awarded the prestigious NZ Olympic Londsdale Cup, was flag bearer for the NZ Olympic team in Sydney and has been honoured with an MBE. During this time Blyth won Burghley twice; in 1998 with Chesterfield (when he also finished second with Aspyring) and in 2001 with Ready Teddy, his gold medal winning partner from the 2006 Atlanta Olympics. After his fourth Olympic Games appearance in Athens 2004, Blyth retired from eventing and returned to New Zealand to concentrate on breeding racehorses. Amongst the many winners he bred and sold was dual Group 1 winner Nashville. He was also the performance manager for the New Zealand eventing team. Blyth returned to competition in 2011 and is now based back in the UK.

Blyth trains with Isobel Wessels and Luis Alverez

Bear Necessity V owned by Ronnie Bartlett and rider, is a12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding of unverified breeding and has been ridden by Blyth since 2012.